The Punjab Higher Education Department has proposed significant changes to the recruitment process for hiring new teachers in colleges and universities

The suggestions, submitted to the Punjab provincial government, recommend ending recruitment of teachers through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) and instead adopting a formula that utilizes visiting lecturers and associate professors.

According to sources, the shift to hiring visiting teachers aims to reduce the financial burden on the government treasury. The traditional method of regular recruitment is being reconsidered due to its higher long-term costs. The new proposal seeks to address this issue by employing visiting lecturers and associate professors, who are typically hired on a contract basis and are thus less financially demanding.

The proposal highlights the current staffing challenges in Punjab’s higher education institutions. There are hundreds of vacancies in government colleges across the province, and the introduction of visiting teachers is seen as a potential solution to fill these gaps more efficiently.

The final decision on this proposed overhaul will be made after receiving approval from the Punjab government. If implemented, this change could mark a significant shift in how educators are recruited and employed in the province’s colleges and universities.

The move has sparked discussions among education stakeholders, with some supporting the potential cost savings and flexibility offered by visiting faculty, while others express concerns about the stability and long-term commitment of such an arrangement.

The Punjab Higher Education Department remains optimistic that the proposal will be approved, leading to a more sustainable and effective recruitment process that can better meet the needs of both the institutions and the educators.

News Courtesy: Pro Pakistani